April 23, 2020 By Rosie McCall Newsweek
Levels of biodiversity in the world’s oceans have remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years, according to a new study published in Science. The conclusion that marine biodiversity has stayed stable over time and not mushroomed over the last 200 million years or so challenges existing assumptions that there has been a steady diversification of species, say the study’s authors.
April 23, 2020 Express & Star
Satellites can be used to successfully identify plastics floating on the surface of the sea, a study has found, with the potential to help ocean clean-ups. Data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellites was used to develop the method, which allows aggregations of plastic pieces and items such as bottles and carrier bags to be spotted and identified from space.
April 22, 2020 By Kelsee Simpkins CU Boulder Today
Current marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean need to be at least doubled to adequately safeguard the biodiversity of the Antarctic, according to a new CU Boulder study published on Earth Day, in the journal PLOS ONE.
April 22, 2020 By Rachel Koning Beals MarketWatch
Allowing the planet’s ocean life to recover to full abundance by 2050 is not only achievable, a large group of research scientists says, but necessary to help feed the world, hold down insurance costs and keep profitable tourism afloat.
April 21, 2020 By Sarah Cox The Narwhal
Researchers used DNA testing and habitat modelling to examine past narwhal populations and predict what a warming future will mean for the mysterious sea creature of the Arctic.